Machine for automatically forming, filling, closing and sealing cartons

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a filler unit for a machine for automatically forming, filling, closing and sealing cartons.

United States Patent Mistarz [54] MACHINE FOR AUTOMATICALLY FORMING, ILLING, CLOSING AND SEALING CARTONS Robert J. Mistarz, Northbrook, 111.

Cherry-Burell Corporation, Chicago, 111.

July 26, 1968 Division of Ser. No. 409,911, Nov. 9, 1964, Pat. No. 3,405,505.

US. Cl ..l4l/l60, 74/68, 222/250,

222/309 Int. Cl ..B65b 43/42, 1367c 3/00 Field of Search ..74/63, 68, 40, 41, 25;

[ 51 June 13, 1972 Primary Examiner-Robert 1. Smith Att0mey-D0minik, Knechte1& Godula ABSTRACT This invention relates to a filler unit for a machine for automatically forming, filling, closing and sealing cartons.

103/153, 150, 11, 213; 141/160; 222/250, 309 SClaims, 7DrawingFigures x 3/ 2 0 I35 a 1 l I 1 I ll i g 1 I 'l 1 I 1 E 1 I l PATENTEDJun 13 1912 SHEET 3 OF 3 INVENTOR Robert JMz'starz H 7% W afiig MACHINE FOR AUTOMATICALLY FORMING, FILLING, CLOSING AND SEALING CARTONS This application is a division of application Ser. No. 409,91 1 filed Nov. 9, 1964 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,405,505.

One of the objects of this invention is the provision of an improved unitized machine for automatically forming plastic coated carton blanks into erected cartons, filling the same with a liquid, and closing and sealing the cartons into fluidtight packages.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a machine of the foregoing type which is adaptable to operate on and fill cartons having different base sizes, for example, quart and half-gallon sizes, thereby eliminating the necessity for employing two different machines, each intended to produce only one size of filled canons, as in prior art practices.

A more specific object is to provide a novel positive filling means for more rapid and accurate filling of cartons with a minimum of foaming, which filling means are particularly applicable for use in a unitized machine of the above described type.

Still a further object of this invention is the provision of novel filling means having micrometer adjustment means for accurately calibrating the volume of liquid discharged into a carton.

Still a further object of this invention is the provision of means to render the filling means inoperative and prevent discharge of liquid in the event a carton is not in position to receive the liquid.

Other and further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description when the same is considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. I is a perspective view of a machine embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of the machine illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on line 8-8 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on line -20 of FIG. 2. 1

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a structural detail illustrated in FIG. 4. 1

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially on line 22-22 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale taken substantially on line 23-23 of FIG. 4. i

As indicated above, the filler unit is particularly applicable for use in a unitized machine of the type intended to process conventional plastic-coated gable-top cartons formed of paperboard or the like, and presently extensively employed for packaging milk and other liquids. The carton blank as it is delivered to the machine for processing is folded upon itself and has its side seam already adhesively secured, thus defining a collapsed open ended tube. The closure parts at each end are suitably scored and the carton when erected and subsequently processed in the machine results in a container which is self-sustaining in shape.

The unitized machine may comprise a console 50 supported on legs 51 and supplied with utilities, such as electric power, heating gas, compressed air and cooling water from appropriate external sources. An operator's control and indicator panel 52 and an emergency stop bar 53 are carried on the forward walls of the console 50. Housed within the console and also arranged on a top portion thereof are the various component mechanisms which operate on the carton, the construction and operation of which are fully disclosed in the above-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,405,505. I

FILLER UNIT The filler unit 162 which is disclosed in the above-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,405,505 and which is the subject of the present invention comprises a supply tank 193 (FIG. 2)

adapted to contain a supply of milk or other liquid to be packaged in the cartons processed by the machine. A supply line 194 delivers milk from a larger supply source. The filler unit includes two filler heads 196 and] 197 which are identical, each head being mounted in overlying relation with a corresponding carton supported on the rail 131 (FIG. 4) and movable by a conveyor 122. Each filler head supplies substantially A of the liquid contents of the carton as it passes successively under each filler head.

Each filler head 196,197 includes a piston-type pump 198 (FIG. 4) having a relatively large diameter cylinder, the stroke of each pump being adjustable, as will be hereinafter explained. Each pump 198 is connected by a separate conduit to the supply tank 193. Since the pumps and their operating mechanisms are substantially identical, only one of the pumps and its mechanism will be described.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the drive shaft 199 for the pumps 198 is suitably joumaled in the frame of the machine and is offset from the shaft 169 but is connected thereto by a drag link mechanism 201, illustrated in FIG. 8. Accordingly, while the shaft 169 is rotated at a uniform speed, the shaft 199 for a portion of each rotation is caused to rotate at a higher rate of speed than the balance of the rotation. This action is utilized in the operation of the pump 196 so that the suction stroke of the piston is morerapid than the discharge stroke. In other words, the discharge interval for the pump is greater than the suction interval. The provision of an extended interval of time for filling the carton results in reducing foaming of the liquid discharged into the carton.

Referring to FIG. 4, mounted on the shaft 199 is an eccentric strap 202 carrying an eccentric rod 203. The free end of said rod is slidable in a sleeve 204 provided with registering longitudinally extending slots 206. The rod 203 is pierced to receive a pin 205 which projects through the rod 203 and through the slots 206 on opposite sides, as seen clearly in FIG. 7. As will be apparent, the rod 203 may move relative to the sleeve 204 within the limits of the length of the slot 206. The upper end of the sleeve 204 is pinned to a lift rod 207 connected to an adjustable pump lever 208, hereinafter to be described. The sleeve 204 is provided with a lateral boss 209 mounting an air cylinder 211 operatively connected to a pin 212 slidable in a bore in the boss. The upper end of the eccentric rod 203 is provided with a drilled hole 213 arranged to receive the pin 212, as will be hereinafter explained.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, carton sensing means in the form of two trip levers 214 and 216, each rockable about a vertical axis, are provided in close proximity to respective filler heads 196 and 197. The levers 214 and 216 extend over the conveyor 122 and project into the path of travel of the cartons moving toward the filler unit. Each lever 214,216 is operatively connected to a separate valve control, not shown, for a respective air cylinder 21 1. In non-operative position the pin 212 is normally retracted from the hole 213 in the eccentric rod 203 and said rod may move relative to the sleeve 204 without imparting any reciprocatory motion to the lift rod 207. However, when a carton engages the lever 214,216, the respective air cylinder 211 is actuated to project the pin 212 through the hole 213 in the eccentric rod 203, thereby locking the sleeve 204 to the rod 203, whereby reciprocatory motion is transmitted to the lift rod 207 to effect operation of the pump through one cycle of operation. This results in a measured quantity of liquid from the filler head being discharged into an underlying carton.

As a carton moves out of engagement with a trip lever 214,216, the air cylinder 211 effects rapid withdrawal of the pin 212 to render the pump inoperative. It will be understood, however, that no matter at which point the pin 212 is retracted, the pump will always complete a full suction stroke, since the pin 205 will engage against the lower end of slots 206 and draw the lift rod 207 downwardly, thereby rocking the lever 208 to effect a suction stroke of the pump.

Each filler head 196,197 is so designed] that the liquid entering the carton tends to spread out and follow the interior walls of the carton, with the result that the air in the carton is discharged centrally upwardly from the carton.

The arrangement above described affords a safety means to prevent discharge of liquid from a filler head in the event that no carton is in position to move into filling position beneath a filler head. If a trip lever 214 or 216 is not engaged by a carton, pin 212 is not caused to be actuated and the lift rod 207 is not actuated to operate the pump.

Referring to FIGS. 4-6, the adjustable lever 208 affords means for varying the stroke of the piston of pump 198, thereby to vary the quantity of liquid which is delivered by the pump. The piston rod 217 of the pump 198 is connected by means of a link 218 to a threaded rod 219 which is provided with two elongated transverse slots 221 and 222. The threaded rod 219 carries three collars 223, 224 and 225 cooperating with said rod, the collars being adjustable longitudinally of the rod. Each of the collars 223 and 224 is provided with one transverse aperture, while the collar 225 is provided with two spaced transverse apertures. As will be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the rod and collar assembly are disposed between a pair of parallel support members 231 which have four sets of registering apertures 230 (FIG. 4) to receive a pin 232, also adapted to pass through one of the apertures in a collar and through a registering slot of the threaded rod 219. Carried on the rearward end of the threaded rod 219 is a threaded collar 285 provided with an annular recess to receive a strap 233 hingedly connected to the lift rod 207. The collar 285 is provided with a knurled head 234 and with a detent pin 236 for effecting locking of the collar in a position of adjustment.

Each of the transverse apertures of the collars 223-225 in combination with a respective aperture 230 in the support members 231 constitutes a different fulcrum position for the operating lever 208 of the pump 198, so as to vary the stroke of the piston thereof. For example, in the position illustrated in FIG. 4 where the fulcrum is located at a point most remote from the piston rod 217, the pump 198 is adjusted to deliver substantially one quart of milk for filling a half-gallon carton. Successively, the fulcrum positions moving from left to right are employed for filling quart, Vs quart, and pint sizes of cartons respectively. In each case only substantially be of the quantity of liquid will be delivered by a filler head with each operation of the pump 198. It will be understood that the relative positions of the several collars 223-225 are initially determined by trial and error and the collars then are locked in position by suitable set screws. correspondingly, the position of apertures 230 are similarly determined.

As various sizes of cartons are required to be filled by the machine, the fulcrum position for the lever 208 is changed by removing the pin 232 from one position and placing it into another position. The sleeve 285 affords a micrometer adjustment of the pump piston travel for calibration of the volume of liquid delivered by the pump. Adjustment of the volume of liquid discharged by the pump is sometimes required as the character of the liquid changes during an operational period of the machine. It will be seen that an adjustment may be readily effected by an operator without the necessity of stopping the machine.

As will be seen by reference to FIG. 2, the micrometer adjustment feature is eliminated at the first filler head 196, since the purpose of this head is merely to deliver approximately k the final quantity of liquid discharged into the carton. At the final filling station or at filler head 197, accuracy of volume, of course, is essential, and the quantity of liquid that is to be discharged into the carton below the head must be accurately controlled.

The use of two filler heads operating concurrently, the first delivering substantially of the liquid to the carton and the second completing the filling of an already half filled carton, results in a very substantial reduction in filling time, since only $6 of the contents need be discharged into the carton at the final filling station. This results in a higher rate of production of the machine, as well as reducing the tendency of the liquid to foam durin the filling operations.

At the nex station immediately following the filler head 197, a defoaming unit in the form of a tube 237 (FIG. 2) mounted for vertical reciprocation is caused to enter the mouth of an underlying carton and to evacuate any foam that may be present. The tube 237 is connected by means of a flexible conduit 238 to the top of the supply tank 193 which is connected by means of another conduit 239 to an evacuating system, now shown.

It will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made from the foregoing without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A filler unit comprising a piston pump connected to a supply of liquid, reciprocating means for reciprocating the piston of said pump, said reciprocating means being coupled to said piston by a lever, the arrangement being such that the rate of movement of said piston on the suction stroke is greater than the rate of movement of said piston on the discharge stroke, said lever having a plurality of apertures longitudinally spaced, support means for said lever having a plurality of transverse apertures also longitudinally spaced, a pin constituting a fulcrum for said lever, said pin being adapted for selective positioning in selected apertures in said lever and said support means for varying the fulcrum position of said lever, whereby the stroke of the piston of said pump can be varied to vary the quantity of liquid discharged by said pump, and means on one end of said lever for connecting said lever to said reciprocable means, said connecting means being adjustably movable longitudinally of said lever for finely adjusting the stroke of the piston of said pump.

2. The filler unit of claim 1, wherein said reciprocating means comprises a reciprocable rod for rocking said lever about said pin constituting a fulcrum for said lever, a drive shaft, a sleeve fixed to the lower end of said reciprocable rod, an eccentric mounted on said drive shaft, a connecting rod fixed to said eccentric and slidably received in the lower end of said sleeve whereby no motion is transmitted to said reciprocable rod, means for selectively locking said connecting rod to said sleeve to transmit reciprocating motion to said reciprocable rod and said lever to operate said pump.

3. The filler unit of claim 1, wherein said reciprocating means comprises a reciprocable rod for rocking said lever about said pin constituting a fulcrum for said lever, a drive shaft, an eccentric mounted on said drive shaft, a sleeve fixed on the lower end of said reciprocable rod, said sleeve having a pair of registering elongated slots, a connecting rod fixed to said eccentric and slidably received in said sleeve, a pin passing through said connecting rod and said slots and operative on the downward movement of said eccentric to draw said reciprocable rod downwardly to effect a suction stroke by the pump piston, said connecting rod on the upward movement of said eccentric being slidable relative to said sleeve without transmitting corresponding movement to said reciprocable rod and said pump piston.

4. The filler unit of claim 3, further comprising a pin slidable in said transversely registering apertures, an air cylinder carried on said sleeve and operatively connected to said slidable pin, means for actuating said air cylinder whereby said slidable pin is caused to pass through the apertures of said sleeve and said connecting rod when the same are caused to be moved into registration with each other thereby to lock said sleeve to said connecting rod and to effect transmission of motion from said eccentric to said pump piston.

5. The filler unit of claim 4, further comprising control means for actuating said air cylinder, said control means having an arm disposed in the path of travel of the cartons to be filled by said filler unit and arranged to be engaged by each of said cartons as said cartons are moved into registration with said filler unit so as to effect actuation of said air cylinder thereby to effect actuation of said pump.

i i I I 

1. A filler unit comprising a piston pump connected to a supply of liquid, reciprocating means for reciprocating the piston of said pump, said reciprocating means being coupled to said piston by a lever, the arrangement being such that the rate of movement of said piston on the suction stroke is greater than the rate of movement of said piston on the discharge stroke, said lever having a plurality of apertures longitudinally spaced, support means for said lever having a plurality of transverse apertures also longitudinally spaced, a pin constituting a fulcrum for said lever, said pin being adapted for selective positioning in selected apertures in said lever and said support means for varying the fulcrum position of said lever, whereby the stroke of the piston of said pump can be varied to vary the quantity of liquid discharged by said pump, and means on one end of said lever for connecting said lever to said reciprocable means, said connecting means being adjustably movable longitudinally of said lever for finely adjusting the stroke of the piston of said pump.
 2. The filler unit of claim 1, wherein said reciprocating means comprises a reciprocable rod for rocking said lever about said pin constituting a fulcrum for said lever, a drive shaft, a sleeve fixed to the lower end of said reciprocable rod, an eccentric mounted on said drive shaft, a connecting rod fixed to said eccentric and slidably received in the lower end of said sleeve whereby no motion is transmitted to said reciprocable rod, means for selectively locking said connecting rod to said sleeve to transmit reciprocating motion to said reciprocable rod and said lever to operate said pump.
 3. The filler unit of claim 1, wherein said reciprocating means comprises a reciprocable rod for rocking said lever about said pin constituting a fulcrum for said lever, a drive shaft, an eccentric mounted on said drive shaft, a sleeve fixed on the lower end of said reciprocable rod, said sleeve having a pair of registering elongated slots, a connecting rod fixed to sAid eccentric and slidably received in said sleeve, a pin passing through said connecting rod and said slots and operative on the downward movement of said eccentric to draw said reciprocable rod downwardly to effect a suction stroke by the pump piston, said connecting rod on the upward movement of said eccentric being slidable relative to said sleeve without transmitting corresponding movement to said reciprocable rod and said pump piston.
 4. The filler unit of claim 3, further comprising a pin slidable in said transversely registering apertures, an air cylinder carried on said sleeve and operatively connected to said slidable pin, means for actuating said air cylinder whereby said slidable pin is caused to pass through the apertures of said sleeve and said connecting rod when the same are caused to be moved into registration with each other thereby to lock said sleeve to said connecting rod and to effect transmission of motion from said eccentric to said pump piston.
 5. The filler unit of claim 4, further comprising control means for actuating said air cylinder, said control means having an arm disposed in the path of travel of the cartons to be filled by said filler unit and arranged to be engaged by each of said cartons as said cartons are moved into registration with said filler unit so as to effect actuation of said air cylinder thereby to effect actuation of said pump. 